Despite the long-term extension handed to Ryan Kerrigan on Wednesday, the Washington Redskins could still use some pass rush help. It seems head coach Jay Gruden and GM Scot McLoughan are taking the upgrading of a Skins pass rush that finished the 2014 NFL season ranked 21st in the league after racking up just 36 sacks, pretty seriously. Washington, per a report from Albert Breer of NFL.com, is bringing in embattled former Saints linebacker Junior Galette for a visit.
"The Redskins are bringing ex-Saints OLB Junior Galette to Richmond for a visit tomorrow. He'll take a physical and meet with team officials," Breer tweeted.
There's no denying the 27-year-old Galette's talents. The former undrafted free agent out of Stillman signed with the Saints in 2010 and immediately made his mark as a special teams maven. He appeared in just four regular-season games his rookie year, but by the end of his second NFL season had amassed 4.5 sacks. In 2012, he appeared in 12 games with one start, nabbing 22 tackles and five sacks. By the time 2013 rolled around, he had turned himself into an NFL starter. He finished that season with 50 tackles, 12 sacks, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. Galette continued his workmanlike efforts last year, collecting 58 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and an astounding two forced safeties.
Despite his abilities and the fact that he was handed a four-year, $41.5 million contract by the Saints prior to last season, the team just recently cut ties with him. In the wake of his release - a release which will cost the team somewhere in the vicinity of $18 million in dead money - rumors and reports emerged of his issues off-the-field. While the general NFL public was already aware of the two alleged domestic violence incidents, it was revealed Wednesday that Galette had also been cited for three misdemeanors in Louisiana stemming from a traffic violation earlier this month.
There's also the twitter tirade Galette went on - and then subsequently denied - after his release.
In the end, there's no denying the Skins need at the position or Galette's abilities. He could be a perfect fit for the franchise, especially one that has been doing a bit of smart bargain-hunting since McLoughan's arrival. Assuming Gruden can keep him in line, Galette might look pretty good in the burgundy and gold in 2015.
UPDATE, 12:20 PM, 7/31: The Skins reached a one-year deal with Galette, the team announced Friday.
